Must-Have K-12 Book Links for Every Classroom!
January is a time for fresh starts, meaningful reflections, and the chance to inspire student resilience. The January Reading List features powerful books celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stories of new beginnings, and titles about kindness and community. The Reading Lists are categorized for elementary, middle, and high school students. These selections are perfect for fostering thoughtful discussions, building connections, and encouraging perseverance in the classroom.
January Staff Suggestions
Discover what our Region 13 Reading Language Arts (RLA) Specialists recommend as their top three picks this month, plus explore a full list of must-read books!
Elementary Pick
“Looking for the perfect read-aloud to kick off the new year with themes of resilience and creativity? The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires is a gem that encourages young readers to embrace problem-solving, perseverance, and the beauty of imperfection.
The story follows a determined young girl and her loyal canine assistant as they embark on creating “the most magnificent thing.” Along the way, frustration sets in when things don’t go as planned. Sound familiar? It’s a scenario many of our students experience as they tackle challenging tasks. Spires captures this struggle with humor and honesty, giving readers an authentic look at the emotional highs and lows of trying something new.
What sets this book apart is its relatable portrayal of resilience. When the girl feels like giving up, she takes a break—a simple yet powerful reminder that stepping away can spark fresh ideas. This moment serves as a wonderful springboard for classroom discussions about self-regulation and growth mindset.
The illustrations are equally magnificent, with expressive characters and delightful details that will keep students engaged. Teachers can extend the story with STEM activities, such as designing their own “magnificent thing,” or writing reflections about a time they overcame a tough challenge.
As educators, we know the importance of nurturing persistence in our students, and The Most Magnificent Thing is a perfect way to inspire those conversations. It’s a joyful reminder that mistakes are part of the process, and every attempt brings us closer to our goals.
Be sure to add this treasure to your January lesson plans—you’ll find it’s a magnificent start to 2024!”
Gabrielle Sweetland-Garza, Elementary Education Specialist
Elementary Pick
“What’s your word for an amazing 2025? Is it Love? Fun? Believe? Brave? Everyone’s words are different, and that’s what makes it so exciting! Finding your word is part of the adventure, and once you discover it, the real fun begins—living it out every single day.
In One Word for Kids, bestselling authors Jon Gordon, Dan Britton, and Jimmy Page take kids (and grown-ups!) on a journey to find their word. Packed with inspiration, this book helps readers of all ages learn a powerful lesson about focus, positivity, and how one little word can make a big difference. Ready to find your word for 2025? Let’s go!”
Kristeena Reiser, Elementary Education Specialist
Secondary Pick
“When Life Gives You Mangos by Kereen Getten is a captivating novel for RLA classrooms, perfect for lessons on descriptive language, cultural exploration, and story structure. Set in a sun-drenched Caribbean village, it follows Clara, a spirited girl navigating friendship, family, and a mysterious memory after a stormy summer.
Themes of identity, forgiveness, and healing shine through the vibrant writing, making it a heartfelt story that resonates with readers. This book is an excellent springboard for discussions on community, loss, and self-discovery. It’s an absolute treasure for your classroom!”
Kelley Weigand, Secondary Education Specialist
Children’s Books
Elementary Book Talk Recommendations
For younger readers, select books that introduce themes of resilience and kindness through relatable characters and vivid illustrations. These stories are perfect for fostering empathy and sparking conversations about perseverance in your classroom.
- Martin’s Big Words
by Doreen Rappaport - I Have a Dream
by Martin Luther King Jr. - Over and Under the Snow
by Kate Messner - Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution
by Pat Miller - What Do You Do With a Chance?
by Kobi Yamada - Those Shoes
by Maribeth Boelts - Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
by Carol McCloud
Use these books as inspiration for creative activities, like drawing favorite scenes, writing reflections on resilience, or role-playing acts of kindness from the stories.
Middle School Books
Secondary Book Talk Recommendations
Middle school readers thrive on stories that challenge their perspectives and inspire self-discovery. The month’s reading list includes captivating books about new beginnings, kindness, and community designed to resonate with their experiences. These titles are perfect for sparking meaningful classroom discussions and encouraging students to reflect on resilience in their own lives.
- Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.?
by Bonnie Bader - A Time to Break Silence: The Essential Works of Martin Luther King, Jr., for Students
by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - Greenglass House
by Kate Milford - Winterfrost
by Michelle Houts - The Winterhouse
by Ben Guterson - Front Desk
by Kelly Yang - Restart
by Gordon Korman - The Year I Flew Away
by Marie Arnold - Each Tiny Spark
by Pablo Cartaya - A Handful of Stars
by Cynthia Lord
Incorporate these books into your lesson plans with activities like group discussions, journaling prompts on overcoming challenges, or creating character analysis charts to explore resilience and growth.
Young Adult Books
High School Book Talk Recommendations
For young adult readers, explore thought-provoking books that tackle complex themes of perseverance, justice, and hope. This month’s reading list celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., explores fresh starts, and emphasizes the power of kindness in building strong communities.
- The Silence of Our Friends
by Mark Long, Jim Demonakos, and Nate Powell - Dear Martin
by Nic Stone - Winterwood
by Shea Ernshaw - Trapped
by Michael Northrop - Lovely, Dark, and Deep
by Amy McNamara - The Start of Me and You
by Emery Lord - What I Carry
by Jennifer Longo - We Are Okay
by Nina LaCour - Fangirl
by Rainbow Rowell - The Sun is Also a Star
by Nicola Yoon - We Are All Made of Molecules
by Susin Nielsen
Use these stories to engage your students in deeper conversations about resilience and inspire them to make a positive impact. Pair these books with reflective essays, debates on themes of justice and hope, or collaborative projects connecting the stories to real-world events.
Book Talk is an ongoing monthly series. We’d love to hear your feedback, comments, or suggestions! Check out this month’s lesson plan suggestions.
Our RLA Team
We have an amazing RLA team of specialists at the Education Service Center, Region 13. Reach out with questions, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter to get the latest announcements, resources, tips, and more related to RLA.
- Kristeena Reiser – Elementary RLA
- Gabrielle Sweetland-Garza – Elementary RLA
- Kelley Weigand – Secondary RLA
- Becky Schneider – Program Manager, Content Services & Texas Reading Academies
- Joe Green – Coordinator, Content Services
For more information on RLA, visit our website or blog for related articles.
Kristeena Reiser
Kristeena is an Elementary Reading Language Arts Specialist at ESC Region 13.
Gabrielle Sweetland-Garza
Gabrielle is an Elementary Reading Language Arts Specialist at ESC Region 13.
Kelley Weigand
Kelley Weigand has 18 years of classroom experience teaching reading and writing at the secondary level. She is an instructional leader, inquisitive learner, enthusiastic educator, and data nerd who is passionate about building campus culture and teacher capacity. Kelley is currently the Secondary RLA Specialist on the Content Services Team here at Region 13.
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